On 3 February, The National Liberal Club Europe Forum held a panel debate in London, bringing together leading parliamentarians and experts to address key challenges facing Europe and the prospects for the European Union in the context of the Conference on the Future of Europe.

ALDE Party acting Co-President and Irish Senator Timmy Dooley participated in the debate alongside former ALDE Party President and MEP Sir Graham Watson, and David Chalmers, Chair of the Liberal Democrat European Group (LDEG).

Launched in 2021, the Conference on the Future of Europe has focused on issues such as as climate change, health, the economy, social justice, rule of law and security, digital transformation, democracy, migration, education, and culture.  

But the EU’s role in the world and foreign policy was a particular focus in the discussion, as ALDE Party’s acting Co-President said: “Brexit is the elephant in the room: it has been disruptive for the European Union and took a lot of bandwidth, but now the EU is learning to adjust to the new realities and move forward with more coherent and common European approach to foreign affairs and defence policy.”

Want to have your own say on Europe’s future? Let us know what you think! 

The event will be available to rewatch soon here.